What was THAT all about?

Whatever Clint Eastwood’s odd appearance at the GOP Convention was, it shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

Republicans have made a lot of mileage out of ridiculing actors who speak out politically. Mainly, this is because the majority of those actors speak out against Republicans and for Democrats. This disdain for Hollywood makes a certain degree of sense. What does the art of playing dress-up have to do with cultivating political thought, anyway?
Of course, Republicans are quick to back away from this logic when it comes to actors who support them. Ronald Reagan is the shining example. Whoever scheduled Eastwood for the convention obviously thought his thespian skills also would rise above the dress-up shallowness. They were wrong.

Instead of an exception, Eastwood proved the rule.

But that doesn’t mean Clint Eastwood was a complete disaster. He was entertainment, although I’ll admit to feeling uncomfortable when he put obscene words in the president’s mouth, even through implication.

As Verne Gay wrote, a lot of people, especially in my profession, complain about how scripted and predictable political conventions have become. For 12 minutes Thursday night, Clint Eastwood was onstage unhinged, and even if a lot people, including myself, were uneasy or even cringing, it is bound to endure as the most memorable moment of either political convention.

I doubt anyone will change his or her opinion as to how to vote in November based on it, but it gives us all a reason to tune in again in 2016.

About the Author

Jay Evensen

Jay Evensen is the Senior Editorial Columnist for the Deseret News. He has 32 years of journalism experience covering politics and a variety of other assignments at news organizations ranging from United Press International in New York City to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Deseret News, where he has worked since 1986. During that time, he has won numerous local, regional and national awards. Most recently, he was given the Cameron Duncan Media Award, given annually in Washington, D.C., by the advocacy group RESULTS, to the journalist judged to have done the most to further the cause of the world's poorest people.

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Welcome to my perspectives on the news

Jay Evensen is the Associate Editor of the Deseret News editorial page. He has 30 years of journalism experience covering politics and a variety of other assignments at news organizations ranging from United Press International in New York City to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Deseret News.